I have an animal : Help For Local Disasters
Partnering With The Red Cross To Help Your Pets
The Seattle Humane Society is a significant resource for our community in the event of local disasters. We've made a commitment to provide free shelter and care for pets whose families have been displaced from their homes due to fires, flooding or other disasters until they are able to safely be reunited with their families. We are the organization that the local American Red Cross chapter calls on in times of need to help pets in our community.
In fact, during the 2006-2007 ice and wind storms, the Seattle Humane Society set up an emergency shelter in our auditorium. This shelter provided a safe place for families with no electricity or heat to leave their furry friends if their emergency shelter or hotel did not allow pets. We also opened our doors to animals who had been frightened during the wind storms and had gotten lost.
Thanks to our generous supporters, we are now able to extend this commitment to making a life-saving difference in our community. In the fall of 2007, we unleashed the MaxMobile, a 38' custom-built vehicle that is equipped to safely house and transport 20 animals. The MaxMobile allows us to be at the site of any emergency - whether it is an apartment fire, a flood, or an earthquake - to protect companion animals during the immediate crisis and to take them to the safety of the shelter where they can be housed until their families can take them home. If you need are in need of assistance due to a crisis or natural disaster, please contact the Seattle Humane Society at (425) 641-0080.
Precautions To Protect Pets Prior To A Natural Disaster
Have a rescue alert sticker visible in one of your home's windows that lists the number and species of animals residing in your home. If you evacuate with your animals during an emergency, and time allows, write "Evacuated" across the alert sticker.
Make sure your pets are microchipped and have proper identification. This is the single most important step you can take to ensure that you and your companion animals will be reunited if you are separated. Don't forget to include alternate contacts with the microchip registration, such as your cell phone number and phone numbers for an out-of-area relative so that you can still be contacted in the case of an evacuation.
Keep a back-up a supply of pet food, prescription medications, kitty litter, and essentials. Also, assemble an animal evacuation kit with the following materials:
- One durable animal carrier displaying your name, address, and phone number for each animal in your household
- Pet food (make sure that all canned meals have peel tops)
- Blankets
- Bottled water (5 gallons per animal is ideal)
- Leash, harness, collar
- Photocopies of medical and immunization records
- Recent photos of your pet (in case you need to create "lost" flyers or provide proof of ownership)
- Wet wipes
- Litter pan and cat litter
- Plastic bags
Guidelines For Animal Owners During A Natural Disaster
If you need to evacuate, TAKE YOUR ANIMALS WITH YOU. It is simply too dangerous to leave companion animals unattended during natural disasters. The best way to ensure the safety of your pets is to evacuate with them.
Locate pet-friendly lodgings. The following hotel chains accept pets at some or all of their locations (please note that restrictions and additional fees may apply):
America's Best Value Inn
Best Western
Econo Lodge
Kimpton Group Hotels including the Alexis Hotel and Hotel Monaco
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Marriott
Motel 6
Radisson
Red Roof Inn